Bossman curls home late winner as Marlow overcome Hayes & Yeading United to move top of the league

Marlow FC 2, Hayes & Yeading United 1

Allen Bossman swept home a glorious late winner as Marlow overcame promotion rivals Hayes & Yeading to move top of the Bostik League South Central Division this afternoon.

The substitute had only been on the field a few minutes when he finished off a sweeping Marlow move with an arching shot into the top corner to a rapturous reception from the 288 supporters inside Oak Tree Road.

It was no less than the Blues deserved for a diligent, spirited performance against a side manager Mark Bartley ranks as one of, if not the, best side in the division.

They controlled large phases of the first half, and deservedly edged in front in the 37th minute, when Isaac Osei-Tutu read Marcus Mealing's wonderful low cross from the right to bundle the ball past Jack Smith. Duncan Culley equalised for Hayes early in the second half, with a composed lobbed finish over Simon Grant. But the keeper later distinguished himself with a penalty save from Scott Bridges in the 83rd minute to keep the Blues on level terms.

The Blues came into the contest in third place, behind Hayes on goal difference and leaders Bracknell by just a point, but they showed enough in this performance to suggest they'll be up there competing for honours this season, if they can keep their discipline in check.

Both sides created chances in the first half, but the better ones were forged by the Blues. Junaid Bell was foiled at point blank range by Smith in the ninth minute, and pulled the rebound wide. The ball in to him from Kameron English was a fabulous one, and the front three of English, Osei-Tutu and Mealing caused all sorts of problems for Hayes in the opening 45 minutes.

Hayes had their chances, with Grant foiling Hassan Jalloh in the opening minutes, and Duncan Culley sweeping wide midway through the half, but in general they were held at arms length.

Hayes trailed at the break but came out with much more intent for the second half. It didn't take them long to level things up through Culley's composed finish. Spotting Grant just a fraction off his line the forward lifted an inch perfect shot over the keeper and into the back of the net on 53 minutes.

English might have restored the Blues lead but shot wide a few minutes later, but Hayes were beginning to get on top, both in terms of possession and chances. Tobias Little side-footed at goal but Grant got down well to keep out the effort and substitute Josh Chamberlain drilled inches wide after the ball broke kindly for him in the box.

Marlow looked like they'd cracked in the 83rd minute, when Little went over Grant's outstretched arm for a penalty kick, but the keeper redeemed himself by saving Bridges' penalty low to his right. After the game he was described as the best keeper in the league by Bartley.

Hayes could well have travelled home with all three points but instead left with nothing thanks to Bossman's late brilliance. A few minutes after coming on for Osei-Tutu he finished off a fine passing move with curling shot over Smith.

This evening Marlow lead the Bostik League South Central Division by a point from Bracknell Town, who were held to a 2-2 draw at home by Hanwell Town. Hayes & Yeading do though have two games in hand on the Blues. 

Afterwards Bartley said: "We deserved it today. Granty has saved the penalty and they may well come away thinking about that, but they've scored from one of our mistakes, an uncontested header, which was probably the only time in the game we've not done it and we were punished. 

"To regroup and respond from there, I've only got plaudits for the players, they've been superb today. We've come away thinking we deserved the three points. They're right up there, they're favourites for the league, so to get three points against them here, how can I not be pleased with that?"

Marlow FC: Grant, Chapple, Ovenden, Campbell, Richards, Gallimore, Romeo (Giamattei 87'), Bell, Mealing (K Bossman 87'), English, Osei-Tutu (A Bossman 78'). Subs not used: Kamara, Rogers.

Attendance: 288

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